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Home > Drug Category > Alzheimers Disease Medication > Aricept and Equivalent

Aricept Information

Aricept (Donepezil) is used to treat the symptoms of dementia in people diagnosed with mild and moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. This disease is progressive, and it starts with mild memory loss. It possibly leads to losing the ability to converse and respond to the environment. Alzheimer’s disease involves brain parts that control thought, memory, and language. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, confusion, and behavioral changes. As a result, people with Alzheimer’s disease find it difficult to carry out their normal daily activities. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors like Donepezil work by increasing the levels of a substance called acetylcholine in the brain and by slowing down the breakdown of this substance which is involved in memory function.

Aricept Side Effects

The most common side effects of Aricept may include appetite loss; muscle pain; sleeping difficulties; nausea; diarrhea; tiredness; Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects such as:
• Difficult or painful urination;
• Lightheaded feeling like you might pass out;
• New or worsening breathing difficulties;
• Seizure;
• Severe or ongoing vomiting;
• Signs of stomach bleeding, e.g., severe heartburn or stomach pain, bloody stools, coughing up blood that looks like coffee grounds

Aricept Precautions

Do not use Aricept if you are allergic to Donepezil or other ingredients in this medication. Before you start taking this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, including: if you have a heart rhythm disorder; have a history of stomach ulcers; have intolerance to some sugars; have liver disease; have kidney disease; have epilepsy; have swallowing difficulties, have breathing disorders like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); have urination problems; are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or plan to become pregnant; are breastfeeding, or are planning to breastfeed. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Aricept and other medications like amiodarone; ketoconazole; phenytoin; ibuprofen; clarithromycin; quinidine;. Do not use Aricept if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant without informing your doctor. It is not known if this medication will harm your unborn baby. Do not use Aricept while breastfeeding without talking to your doctor. It is not known if Donepezil passes into your breastmilk. Do not give this drug to children less than 18 years old. It may harm them. Use your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop or change the dose of this medicine without talking to your doctor. You may take Aricept with or without food. Do not crush, chew, or break the regular tablet. Swallow the tablet whole. If you are taking the oral dispersible tablet, ensure your hands are dry before removing the tablet from its blister pack. Do not swallow the oral dispersible tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. Drink a glass of water after the tablet dissolves completely. Avoid taking Aricept with alcohol. Alcohol may change the effects of the drug. Do not stop taking Aricept without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug may make the benefits of your treatment gradually fade away. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store Aricept above 300C.

Do I need a prescription to order Aricept?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Aricept.